It is five o’clock in New York City. If you’ve flipped on Fox News lately, you know exactly what that means. The music kicks in, the camera pans across a circular desk, and suddenly you’re dropped into what feels like a loud, opinionated family dinner where everyone is talking over each other but somehow, they're still friends. Or at least, they mostly act like it. The show has become a ratings juggernaut, often outperforming primetime slots, and a huge part of that is the chemistry—or the friction—between the cast of the 5 on fox.
But here’s the thing. The lineup isn't just five people who sit there forever. It’s a rotating ecosystem. While there are "the regulars," there is also a constant flow of guest hosts that keep the seat warm when someone is off filming a special or, you know, just taking a vacation from the chaos. People get confused about who is a permanent fixture and who is just visiting for the week.
The Foundation: Greg Gutfeld and the King of Late Night
Greg Gutfeld is the heartbeat of the show, whether you love his brand of humor or it makes you want to throw your remote at the wall. He’s been there since the very beginning in 2011. Back then, The Five was supposed to be a temporary replacement for Glenn Beck’s show. Nobody thought it would last. Gutfeld brought this weird, satirical, "libertarian-leaning" energy that basically redefined how cable news panels work.
He doesn’t just give talking points. He does monologues that feel more like stand-up comedy sets, often targeting "the woke," the media, or his favorite target, Juan Williams (even though Juan isn't on the panel every day anymore). Gutfeld’s role changed slightly when he got his own 11:00 PM show, Gutfeld!, but he remains the primary instigator on the 5:00 PM block. He’s the guy who will say the thing that makes the other hosts look at the floor in awkward silence.
Dana Perino: The Voice of Reason (Mostly)
If Greg is the chaos, Dana Perino is the order. A former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, Perino brings a level of "establishment" credibility that the show desperately needs to keep from spinning off the rails. She is famously polished. She rarely loses her cool.
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Honestly, the dynamic between her and Gutfeld is probably why the show works so well. They’re "The Odd Couple" of cable news. She’s the one explaining policy nuances while he’s making a joke about his neighbor's cat. She also brings Jasper—well, she used to bring her dog Jasper into the conversation constantly, and now it’s her newer dog, Percy. It sounds trivial, but that kind of "lifestyle" talk is why people feel like they know the cast of the 5 on fox personally. It’s not just politics; it’s their lives.
Jesse Watters: From Man-on-the-Street to Center Stage
Jesse Watters started as a segment producer for Bill O'Reilly, doing those "Watters' World" bits where he’d interview people on the street and make them look a bit silly. Now? He’s one of the biggest stars at the network. He moved into a permanent seat on The Five and eventually landed the 8:00 PM primetime slot formerly held by Tucker Carlson.
Watters plays a specific character: the confident, slightly smug, "common sense" guy. He leans heavily into cultural grievances. He’s often the one pushing the most aggressive conservative critiques of the current administration. Even with his own show at 8:00 PM, he stayed on the 5:00 PM panel because the chemistry is just too profitable to mess with.
The Liberal Hot Seat: Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr.
This is the hardest seat in television. Period. Being the lone liberal on a panel of four conservatives is a daunting task, and the cast of the 5 on fox has seen a few people cycle through this role.
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- Jessica Tarlov: She’s arguably the most frequent "liberal" voice right now. She’s fast. She brings data. She’s often the only one on the panel citing specific New York Times or Washington Post reporting while the others scoff. Her back-and-forth with Gutfeld is legendary for being genuinely tense.
- Harold Ford Jr.: A former Congressman from Tennessee. He’s more of a centrist, "Blue Dog" Democrat. He’s smoother and less combative than Tarlov. He often looks for middle ground, which sometimes frustrates viewers who want a more "firebrand" liberal, but he appeals to the older, more moderate audience members.
The Rotating Regulars: Jeanine Pirro and the Guest List
Judge Jeanine Pirro became a permanent co-host a couple of years ago after her weekend show was folded. She brings the volume. If you want someone to lean into the camera and speak with a level of intensity that feels like a courtroom closing argument, she’s your person.
Then you have the people who fill in.
Katie Pavlich often pops up when Dana is out.
Tyrus, the massive former wrestler who is a staple on Gutfeld’s late-night show, sometimes makes an appearance.
The rotation is key. It keeps the energy from getting stale. If the same five people sat in those same five chairs for 300 days a year, they’d probably end up actually hating each other. The guest hosts act as a pressure valve.
Why This Specific Cast Dominates the Ratings
It’s not just the politics. Let's be real. If it were just about politics, any show could do it. It’s the "hangout factor."
The cast of the 5 on fox talks about what they ate for dinner, their pets, and their annoying habits. They have internal jokes that have been running for a decade. When you watch, you feel like you’re part of a club. It’s the same reason The View works on the other side of the aisle. It’s personality-driven news.
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Misconceptions about the cast abound. People think they hate each other off-camera. While there is definitely real friction—especially when topics like the 2020 election or January 6th come up—they often post photos together at dinners or events. It’s a workplace. A weird, high-stakes, televised workplace where you get paid millions to argue with your coworkers.
The Evolution of the Show
The show used to have Bob Beckel. He was the original liberal voice, a crusty, old-school campaign manager who would literally smoke (or pretend to) on set and throw things. Since he left, the show has become more polished, but also more polarized. The "One More Thing" segment at the end of the show remains the most popular part because it’s the only time they stop arguing and just talk about charity events, birthdays, or funny videos.
How to Keep Up With Changes
If you’re looking for the current cast of the 5 on fox, your best bet isn't just checking the Fox News website, which is often slow to update their talent bios.
- Check Social Media: Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino are very active on X (formerly Twitter). They usually post if they’re going to be off for a week.
- The "Live" Factor: The show is live at 5:00 PM ET. If a guest host is in the chair two days in a row, they’re likely filling in for a specific vacation block.
- Podcast Versions: If you miss the broadcast, the audio is uploaded as a podcast. It’s a good way to hear the chemistry without the visual distractions.
The lineup of the cast of the 5 on fox is surprisingly stable for cable news. Most shows see a complete anchor turnover every three to four years. The Five has kept its core—Gutfeld, Perino, and Watters—together long enough to build a massive, loyal audience that treats them like family. Whether that’s a good thing for the "news" is up for debate, but for entertainment? It’s a winning formula.
To stay truly informed on who is sitting in the chairs this week, pay attention to the opening credits. Fox recently updated their graphics to reflect the permanent status of Judge Jeanine and the rotating liberal seat. If you're looking for a specific host and don't see them, check their personal social media; they're almost certainly on a book tour or a short break. The "regular" five-person rotation usually holds firm from Tuesday through Thursday, with Mondays and Fridays being the most common days for guest substitutions.
Actionable Steps for Viewers:
- Verify the Daily Lineup: Follow the official @TheFive X account around 4:30 PM ET for daily host announcements.
- Engage with "One More Thing": This segment is the best way to see the "real" personalities of the cast outside of scripted political talking points.
- Watch for Guest Host Auditions: Pay attention to who fills in on Fridays; the network often uses this slot to test new talent for future permanent roles.